Equity (Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net investment gains (losses)									$ 444	$ (298)	$ (308)
Net investment income									18,868	16,166	17,363
Net derivative gains (losses)									628	851	(590)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax									0	0	(986)
Other expenses									13,689	13,714	13,621
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax									6,795	6,307	3,536
Income tax (expense) benefit									(886)	(1,179)	1,470
Net income (loss)	$ 588	$ 2,190	$ 1,746	$ 1,385	$ 2,062	$ 915	$ 894	$ 1,257	5,909	5,128	4,020
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									399	(484)	747
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses), Net of Related Offsets
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net investment gains (losses)									270	6	404
Net investment income									(30)	(1)	20
Net derivative gains (losses)									25	(19)	(49)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax									265	(14)	289
Income tax (expense) benefit									(61)	3	(87)
Net income (loss)									204	(11)	202
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax									268	(517)	1,025
Income tax (expense) benefit									27	135	(356)
Net income (loss)									295	(382)	669
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Interest rate contracts
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net investment gains (losses)									4	0	0
Net investment income									23	20	18
Net derivative gains (losses)									0	21	13
Other expenses									2	1	1
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Foreign currency swaps
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net investment gains (losses)									240	0	0
Net investment income									(4)	(5)	0
Net derivative gains (losses)									0	(558)	974
Other expenses									2	2	2
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Credit derivatives
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net investment income									1	1	0
Net derivative gains (losses)									0	1	1
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of net actuarial gains (losses)									(145)	(145)	(190)
Amortization of prior service (costs) credit									27	25	23
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax									(118)	(120)	(167)
Income tax (expense) benefit									18	29	43
Net income (loss)									(100)	(91)	(124)
Brighthouse Financial, Inc
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net investment gains (losses)											(1,016)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax											(986)
Other expenses											(18)
Brighthouse Financial, Inc | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses), Net of Related Offsets
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax									0	0	(86)
Brighthouse Financial, Inc | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Interest rate contracts
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax									0	0	5
Brighthouse Financial, Inc | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Foreign currency swaps
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax									$ 0	$ 0	$ 11